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2004 Republican National Convention

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2004 Republican National Convention
2004 Republican National Convention

The 2004 Republican National Convention is a United States presidential nominating convention that takes place from August 30 to September 2, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The convention is one of a series of historic quadrennial meetings of the Republican Party with a primary focus on officially nominating a candidate for President of the United States and adopting a party platform. Attendance includes 2,509 delegates and 2,344 alternate delegates from every state of the Union inluding the nation's territories and overseas dependencies. The convention marks the formal end of the active primary election season, although the primaries were essentially uncontested; there was no challenge to the incumbent, George W. Bush.

The theme of the convention is "Fulfilling America's Promise by Building a Safer World and a More Hopeful America." Defining moments of the 2004 Republican National Convention include a featured keynote speech by Zell Miller and the confirmation of the nomination of incumbent George W. Bush as the candidate for President and of incumbent Dick Cheney as the candidate for Vice President. The two face the Democratic Party's ticket challenge of John Kerry and John Edwards in the 2004 presidential election.

About 1,000,000 people are expected to participate in a wide range of protest activity in New York City, including a massive march on Sunday. See 2004 Republican National Convention protests for more information.

Platform

Apart from nominating a candidate for President and Vice President, the 2004 Republican National Convention is also charged with crafting an official party platform and political agenda for the next four years. At the helm of the Platform Committee is United States Senator and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Congresswoman Melissa Hart of Pennsylvania and Colorado Governor Bill Owens.

Venue

The choice of Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2003 by all 165 members of the Republican National Committee as the venue for the 2004 Republican National Convention meant that New York City would host a major Republican nominating convention for the first time in the nation's history. On July 19, control of Madison Square Garden was officially handed over to the Republican Party under the administration of Chief Executive Officer of the Convention Bill Harris.

Security

Like the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, the Department of Homeland Security officially declared the 2004 Republican National Convention a National Special Security Event. As a National Special Security Event, the United States Secret Service is charged with employing and coordinating all federal and local agencies including the various bureaus of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York Police Department to secure the venue from terrorist attacks. Expected security expenditures will reach USD $50 million, half of which is funded by the federal government.

The city will employ an active beat of 10,000 police officers deployed as Hercules teams — uniformed in full riot gear and body armor. While Boston police officers wielded batons and body shields for the Democratic convention, Hercules teams will be equipped with machine guns. Commuter and Amtrak trains entering and exiting Penn Station will be scoured by bomb-sniffing dogs as uniformed police officers will be attached to buses carrying delegates. All employees of buildings surrounding Madison Square Garden must undergo thorough screening and background checks.

Timing

The decision to hold the convention at such a late date sparked a minor controversy in the state of Illinois. Since the incumbent would accept his nomination on the last day of the convention — a mere sixty-one days before the November 2 general election — Bush would miss the certification deadline to have his name listed on the state's ballot. Illinois statutes require certification of the nomination acceptance sixty-seven days before the election. [1] To remedy the problem, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed a bill passed by the Democrat-controlled Illinois General Assembly allowing Bush's name to appear on the ballot. [2]

The late date of the convention is also expected to assist George W. Bush in his presidential campaign. Bush is expected to accept public money for the general campaign phase of the election, as did John Kerry. However, the Democratic Convention was a month earlier. The campaigns will receive the same amount of funding for differing time frames, leaving John Kerry to spread the spending over an extra month.

Protests

There are two main groups organizing protests against the Republican Convention, "United for Peace and Justice" which is a coalition of anti war and social justice groups and International ANSWER. Both groups are in court to try to force the city to grant permits for a major rally in Central Park.


Speakers

Early in the summer leading up to the 2004 Republican National Convention, Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie announced the first slate of convention speakers. He added, "It is an honor to announce the addition of these outstanding Americans to the 2004 Republican National Convention program. For the past three and a half years, President Bush has led with strength and compassion and these speakers reflect that." Chief Executive Officer of the Convention Bill Harris commented, "These speakers have seen President Bush's strong, steady leadership and each will attest to his character from a unique perspective. Their vast experience and various points of view are a testament to the depth and breadth of the support for the Republican ticket in 2004."

Zell Miller

Considered to be one of the most interesting choices for speakers at the convention is a keynote address by Zell Miller, a United States Senator who is a Democrat with staunch Republican leanings. In a Wall Street Journal editorial Miller cited that the reason for his defection was that, "I barely recognize my party anymore." He continued, "Today, it's the Democratic Party that has mastered the art of division and diversion. To run for president as a Democrat these days you have to go from interest group to interest group, cap in hand, asking for the support of liberal kingmakers." He finished by saying, "I still believe in hope and opportunity and, when it comes right down to it, Mr. Bush is the man who represents hope and opportunity."

Nancy Reagan

Noticeably absent from the slate of speakers is one of the most respected Republican elders and wife of the late President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan. In early August 2004, the New York Daily News confirmed reports that Reagan vehemently declined several invitations to speak at the convention and voiced her opposition to the use of quotes and images of her late husband, who died earlier in the year, for any bid to reëlect the incumbent. She was reportedly disgusted by revelations that the Republican National Committee had produced, during the week of the presidential funeral, advertisements implying President Reagan endorsed Bush for a second term. The Bush campaign and party leaders defended themselves, claiming that they did not seek to exploit President Reagan's memory.

Despite the speculation, Nancy Reagan's spokesperson has confirmed that she fully supports President Bush for the 2004 general election. In addition, her son Michael Reagan, will speak at the convention.

Full Schedule

Monday, August 30

Principal Speakers

Tuesday, August 31

Principal Speakers

Wednesday, September 1

Principal Speakers

Thursday, September 2

Principal Speakers

Other Speakers

The following speakers have been announced to appear at the convention without specific mention of a date.

See also